Packaging device



W. M. SHOFFNER Feb. 19, 1957 PACKAGING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed 001:. 2. 1955 I NVENTOR.

\/wu.us M. SHOFFNER palm ATTORNEYS Feb. 19, 1957 w. M. SHOFFNER PACKAGING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 F iled Oct. 2, 1953 INVENTOR. WILLIE M. SHOFF'NER BY flaMgs /0a.4mu

ATTORNEYS Feb. 19, 1957 w. M. SHOFFNER 2,781,622

' PACKAGING DEVICE Filed Oct. 2, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. WILLIE M. SHOFFNER Y TMgTW ATTORNEYS Feb. 19, 1957 w. M. SHOFFNER 2,781,622

PACKAGING DEVICE Filed Oct. 2, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Q INVEN TOR. WILLIE M. SHOFFNER 'ATTORNEYS Feb. 19, 1957 w. M. SHOFFNER 2,781,622

PACKAGING DEVICE Filed-Oct. 2, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Q INVENTOR. WILLIE M. SHOFFNER ATTORNEYS from the bag, thus PA KAGING. DEVIC Willie M. Shoifner, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to Roto 'llable This invention relates to a packaging device of the type similar to that illustrated in"co -pe nding,W1ll1e M.

Shotfner et al. application, Serial No. -32,0,716, filed November. 15, 1952, assigned to the same assignee as the instant application, said application having issued on August 10, 1954, andfbearing Patent No. 2,685,996.

The packaging device of the present invention is constructed to accomplish the rapid packaging of either loose articles, articles in trays, or articlesthat have been oupe t th A conventional way of packaging items of the nature referred to, particularly meat and foodstuff, is to wrap them in a flat sheet which is either heat-sealed or taped closed so that a relatively tight enclosure is provided aroundthearticle so wrapped, thereby to exclude air and to provide for a relatively neat appearing package. Ihismethod of packaging, however, is slow and is dif- ,fis i partiq l r y i i e ula y pe Particles,

provide a tight package and one. which is air-tight.

Accor ding to modern merchandising procedures, it is advantageous and convenient to display articles of foodstuff, such as meat products and the like, in an open refrigerated case. In this case the packaging method of employing a fiat wrapperas referred tO Will cause the Q package to be easily torn, and the difliculty of closing i Having the foregoing in mind, it is ajprimary object of the present invention to provide an improvedapparatus for packaging articles in bags so that the articles can be packaged rapidly and with little labor.

A still further object of this invention is the provision' of an apparatus for packaging articles in bags in such a manner that substantially all the air is eliminated improving the keeping qualities of the articles so'p'acka'ged."

Another object of this invention is the provision of an apparatus for packing articles in bags such that substantially, all of the air is excluded from the package and the package hermetically seale A still further'obje ctis the provision of an apparatus for packaging articles in bags such that the apparatus can be adjusted to accommodate articles of various sizes and shapes.

Still another object of thisinvention is the provision of an: apparatus especially adapted for packaging articles which are in trays so that the article and tray together can be introduced into a close fitting bag and the bag then sealed at the open end.

A, still further particular object is the provision of an apparatus of the nature referred to which is readily adaptable to awide variety of articles to be packaged.

Another particular object of this inventionis the provision of an apparatus ofthenaturereferred to, which United States Patent G whereby it will be economical 'forilarge" markets t 5 Figure 15 is '2.

2,781,622 Re reats?! Eel U 2 is small and compact and inexpensive to construct 'loy a' number of thedevicesl It is" also anbbject of this invention to prov de a packaging apparatus of the nature -referred to' incl'uding a mechanism 'for'heat-sealing the bags.

' These and other objects and-advantages of this invention will become'more ap arent s on reference 'to"the following "specification taken in connectionbwith the accompanying drawings,'wherein: i

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a packaging device constructed according to my invention;

Figure 2 is a transverse section indicated by line 2 2 on Figure l;

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the devicewith a diiferent spout arrangement thereon; Figure 4 isa view similar to" Figure 3 but showsstill another spout'arrangeme'nt on' the device; Figure 5 is a perspective view showing at one stageofthe'packaging operationf Figure 6 is a view like Figure S'biit showing the device after the article "being packaged is pushed completely" in the apparatus the bag; 7 Figure 7 is a fragmentary view showing the filled bag at the beginning of thesealing of'the b'agf" 7 Figure 8 is a view like Figure 7 showing the apparatus with the sea-ling"operation partially completed; Figure? is a view like'Fig'ures' 7 and 8 but showing peration on the open end :the apparatuswith a 'sealing operationcompletelvfinishedj Figure 10 is a perspective view showing a modified form of my packagingdevice"particular1v adapted for packaging articles that are carried in trays; t Figure 11 is a' plan view looking down on top of the modification offFigure l0;

Figure '12 is a'longitudinal by line 1212 on Figure 11;

Figure 13"is afragmentary perspective view showing the arrangement of an adjustable" slide formings pan of the'a'pp'aratus and along which the trays containing the articles beingpackaged are slidable; Figure 1'4 isfa-ve'rticalsectional view indicated by line14+14 on Figure 1 3showing the construction of a slidable suppor'tfor the'tray of Figure 13; and

perspective viewshowing the provision of a holddown member provided in association with 'the modificationof Figure' 10. Referring to I the drawings somewhat more in detail, the apparatus illustratedvfin Figures '1 and 2 comprises a frame part having ends li) and 12 and aback part 14. Extending between end parts 10 and 12 inclining upwardly from the'bottoniof back part 14 is a' -tray portion 16. A: substantially fiat topwall 18 is provided so" that the space above tray portion 16 provides a convenient storage place for bags suclrasthose indicated at'20' in Figure 1.

sectional view indicated At the right end of the frame, as is viewed in Figure 1,

is an enclosure 22 within which isenclosed an -air 'c'ylinder 24- having a ram. 26, and on the outer end of which/ram is a pusher plate 28. An' airvalve 30 is connected with the opposite-ends of cylinder 24 as by conduit means '32 so that when the operating lever'34 of the air: valve is in its upper'position, as is illustrated in Figure'1,' the ram in the motor will be urged to its retracted position, whereas pressing" downwardly'on lever-34 will reverse the'supply of air to thecylinder and drive ram 26 and pusher plate 28 leftwardly; T

' Immediately forwardly of pusher plate 28 there is provided transversely extending fiatplatform element36, preferably' 'of stainless-"steel or the likefand having it's right hand edge, as 'shown in Figure *2, turned upwardly as at 38" and having at its'left hand edge; -also' sefn in Figure 2, a longitudinally extending V-shaped elevation 40 and a dependent edge portion 42 lying along back wall 14 of the frame and secured thereto as by the screws On the front side of the machine, adjacent platform element 36, is a vertically extending panel 37 secured to the frame of the machine as by the bolts or rivet means 39, and having its upper edge extending upwardly and bent over the upstanding side edge 38 of platform element 36 as indicated at 41 in Figures 1 and 2. The bent over portion 41 slidably receives upstanding edge 38 of platform element 36 so that merely by removing bolts 44 an entire platform element can be slipped endwise off the machine.

Screws 44 are also advantageously availed of for supporting a supply slide 46 along which trays 48 carrying the articles to be packaged can be brought to the machine. These trays are adapted for being placed ahead of pusher plate 28 in the position indicated by the dot-dash outline 50 in Figure 2, and are moved into that position by pulling them laterally from slide 46 over upstanding portion 40 of element 36.

A strip of material 52 may be provided on element 36 forming a backstop for the trays 48 and also providing means for supporting the pusher plate 28 at a level which will prevent it from striking against the edge of trays 48. At the end opposite pusher plate 28, and attached to the inside and top surface of element 36, is a spout portion 54 generally concave upwardly and tapered somewhat inwardly. A holddown or upper spout portion member 56 is pivoted toward the rear of the spout member between pins 58 extending into a series of apertures in the holddown plate. Upper spout portion 56 i concave downwardly so as to fit over spout portion 54 and has an upturned rear edge 60 to form a tapering inlet opening to the space between spout portion 54 and holddown plate 56.

The rear edge of spout portion 54 forms an abutment for engaging the front edge of trays 48 so that, when pusher plate 28 is operated, the trays will remain stationary.

At the left end of the device, spaced from the end of spout portion 54, i a sealing mechanism generally indicated at 62 and comprising a stationary angularly shaped heated platen portion 64 and a movable clamp portion 66 carried on arms 68. As will best be seen in Figures 7 through 9, clamp portion 66 is biased by spring 70 on arms 68 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figures 7 through 9, while arms 68 are biased by a spring means 72.

An electrical heating element 74 positioned beneath platen 64 is provided for heating the platen to a desired temperature, and a control knob 76 is located in back of the heating element for adjusting the temperature thereof.

As to the operation of the modification of Figures 1 and 2, reference may be had to Figures through 9. In Figure 5 it will be observed that a plurality of the trays 48 are located on a supply slide 46, and one tray 48 is in position in front of pusher member 28. Each tray contains two layers of wieners or sausages or the like having a card 71 between the layers and a card 71 beneath the lower layer. As will be seen in Figure 5, the lower wall of each tray 48 has an upstanding center rib 72 such that the lower card 71 is spaced above the bottom wall of the tray. Pusher member 28 i also pro vided with a notch 74 in its lower edge to provide clearance over the ribs 72 in the trays.

With the device positioned as it is illustrated in Figure 5, a bag, such as a cellophane or pliofilm bag, is placed over the spout and holddown member as at 76. The handle 34 of valve 30 is then depressed and this will drive pusher member 28 leftwardly to its Figure 6 position, which pushes the contents of thetray 48 that is in front of the pusher member through the space between the spout and holddown member and the bag 76. The

4. spout and holddown member spread apart, thus opening the bag mouth and permitting the articles being packaged to be pushed into a bag no larger than is absolutely necessary, thereby providing a container that is devoid of air a is possible.

After the articles have been pushed completely into the bag at 76, handle 34 of the valve is released and the pusher member will retract, whereupon the empty tray 48 can be removed and a new tray pulled into position.

The filled bag is then placed on platen 64 of the sealing device 62, as illustrated in Figure 7. The operator then grasps the handle part 78 of clamp member 66 and pulls forward which causes rotation of arms 68 to their Figure 8 position, whereupon the hinged portion at 80 of clamp member 66 will press the bag against the top part of platen 64. The relative strength of spring means 70 and 72 is such that the movable parts of the sealing device will move to their Figure 8 position before spring 70 commences to yield.

The continued pulling on handle part 78 of the clamp member will rock the clamp member to its Figure 9 position, and in which position the bag will be drawn tightly about the articles being packaged and firmly against the heated platen 64, thus effecting a hermetically tight seal in the open end of the bag. The packaging operation is now complete and the packaged article can either be placed in a larger container for shipping to a point of sale or can be placed directly in a display case.

It has been mentioned that the apparatus of this invention is adapted to different types and sizes of articles, and reference to Figure 3 will show one modified arrangement of the device. In Figure 3 the spout portion and element 36 of the Figure 1 construction have been removed by removing bolts '44 and sliding the spout portion and platform element endwise out of the apparatus as previously described, whereupon another platform element having a spout portion 92 can be put in place and secured in position by replacing the bolts 44.

The modified spout portion 92 of the Figure 3 modification is characterized by both' the upper and lower spout portions being formed in three parts, a central part 94 having its rear edge turned up as in the case of the upper spout portion 56 of Figure 1, and have two side portions 96 which movably engage center portion 94 as by means of the turnback member 98 on the said central portion. By this arrangement the spout can be adjusted in size laterally, thereby to accommodate bags of different sizes so that a bag exactly the right size for receiving the article to be packaged can be employed. At the same time the arrangement of Figure 3 is also characterized in having no abutment edges therealong for engaging the edge of a tray, such as the tray 48, whereby it can be employed for packaging articles such as large pieces of meat which do not have trays associated therewith. The articles could be pushed from the platform element 90 dierctly into the bag without the use. of any platforms or cards or the like.

A still further modified arrangement of my invention is illustrated in Figure 4. This modification is particularly useful for large articles to be packaged, which articles may approximate in length the total length of movement of pusher member 28. In order to provide ample movement of the article by the pusher member for thrusting the article completely in the bag, the upper spout portion 100 in Figure, 4, indicated in dot-dash outline, is pivoted at 102 immediately forward of pusher member 28 at the upper ends of a pair of tabs 104 turned upwardly from the platform element 106. The rear edge of upper spout member 100 is turned upwardly at the back as at 108, and the arrangement is such that the spout member can be turned to a substantially vertical position about its pivotal support so that an article can be placed on platform member 106 immediately in front of pusher member 28. Thereafter, when the upper spout member is lowered it forms, with the lower spout e er, formedso t es d--q .z atfs rm,;t tnb .106, an in-wardly-, tapering;configuration that will readily .be received nwithin; the .mouth of a,hagz yvhich.,is to ,re-

'ceive the articletozbepackaged. ;1fhus,,th;e ticleswhich are substantiallyrtheslength: Qfit-he-strokeof pusher member"28,.; can:-:be;p1acecl--into receiving bags with the 1 same efliciency that obtains in corn tionwith the operations tdescribed, fortheaFigures hand modification.

It will be:noted-:that'in eaeh of the three modifications referred to :the-lowerspout memberrextendsupwardly somewhat from athe-top wall of thedevice, thereby making it.quite.simple tokplacei-the 'bagvover the discharge end 'of '1 the spout; and. :likewise' to receive the bag and con- :tents. that. have been-placed therein from the spout.

Figures through vls' illustrate ;a still further modified form of my invention based onthesame general principles of the inventionaofthe. already described modifications, but adaptable to certain other classes ofarticles to be packaged; r In particular, I the modification of :Figures 10 through .15 is. partic.ularly;1adapted forpackagingarticles-thatare carried in trays of ,the-type;em-

ployed for packaging meatproducts. and the like.

-Referring to Figures 1.0. and 15, the modification illus- -trated-:therein comprises a frarnepart 200 :which. may be of ordinarysheetmetal and mounted-,within ,the frame-portion 2tl0 at vthe'lefthand endas the ,device is illustrated inFigures lO' and' 11, isa stainless .steel'plate 202 having a raised partIZM. -The side walls of frame '200 are advantageously formed inwardly as at ;206 to retain the-left'ends of the frame and-platform together, While at the ot-her end theframe and platformwould be welded, riveted or bolted together.

"member 212 thereofback and forth.

Immediately 'leftwardly of pusher -member 212 I is a an elongated slide member 216 having'a'flat bottom Wall, an outwardly inclinedside wall 217,-and afairly short lip 219 turned inat the upper edge of thesidewall. This 'tray is adjustably mounted on-raised-portion-204 oftheplatform member by the vertical rods 218 welded to the side edges of the slide and-extending downwardly through the transverse slots 220 in raised portion-294.

Each of rods 218 has a washer welded thereto above raised portion 204 ofthe platform member, as indicated ati222 in Figures 13 and 14, and beneath the said raised portion 2&4 of the platform each rod 218 has a nut'224 between which and awasher 226 there bears a spring 228. ,The arrangement is .such that the 'slide 216 is resiliently retained inany position of lateral adjustment within the slots 220.

Adjacent slide 216 isa second slide ,230 havingwelded thereto asingle -VIil(;ally.Xt]ldlDg rod 232, by means of which it is secured to a flat bracket 234 pivoted on raised portion 264 of platform by pivot bolt 236. A spring 238 between bracket 234 and a fixed point provide means for biasing slide 23%) in the direction of arrow 240 in Figure 11.

The described arrangement is particularlynse'ful for packaging articles in trays of the nature referred to, and which trays are light trays With outwardly tapering side walls. The trays containing the articles to be packaged are placed in position on the slides 230 and 216, the said slides having been adjusted laterally relative to each other to slidably' accommodate the tray. Thereafter, the bag which is to receive the tray and the articles-therein is placed over the .ends of slides 216 and 239. At this time the spring 238 serves to urge slide 230 in a direction 'to spread the bag opening laterally so that a bag no larger than necessary need be employed.

For at least certain classes of articles I employ the discharge from air valve 214 for-expanding the. opening of; the bag vertically,.such dischargemeans being represented by. the portslfili in" the valveyandrwhich ports discharge theaairstreiams '2 l4, as,illust r,ated in Figure-12,

thereby. to expand the bag diningmdvaaem of the pusher 5 employed to 'facilitate entrance of the articleslinto thebag. 1 also provide :a, holddown or .upperjs pout member 246 in Figure.15,,which consists of a substantially flat plate having its rear edge turned upwardly as at .248 and carrying a transversexbahZSti having aperture, means252 at its opposite ends for slidably fittin g cver rods 218 and 232 connected with the slides.-- ,The. bar 250 may consist of aplurality of .the aperture .means on each end thereof, or aspout member 246.could be provide dfor each adjusted position of the slides or, alternatively, the member 246 could. beprovided. with abar having a single aperture on one side and faslot on the other side, thus providing for an infinite adjustment of the slides.

The device illustrated in Eigures 10.through is particularly useful forpackaging articles which may consist of.,cuts of meat. that .a re'lplaced'in trays of the nature referred to, or looseIarticles,,th'at.may 'be carried in said trays, such ascandy and the like.

It will be obvious that :a heat-sealing station, as illustratedwith the first. modification, could be provided with the, modification of Figures 10 through 15 if desired. It will also be apparentfZthat the Figures 10 through, 15 modification could,befconstructedlso as to be fitted detachably to thefl-" igures land'ZmQdification in the manner ofthe structures ofFigures 3 and'4 if so desired and, in which :case,.the airicfyilinderand pusher plate and frame memberofltheliiguresQ10through 15 modification would be eliminated and'thelmember 2 04wo'uld not be mounted onframepart2tl0,butwould, instead, be formed for detachable connection with the frame of the machine in ,the manner of, the, gums l through 4 modification.

" .m'emberfifitwith upa t eril'portion' 41, 2 downl v opposite side, and withthelm'ember V, ing cutoff at eltop ,ofvtheincl ined part under the "Sp r. V. I l tw l. be undetstoq th t this inv nt o i su b modifi at 'ion in,ordertoladapt jt tol jdilf e re'nc'e usages .5) cptldltions and, accordingly, ,it' is. desired to compre- :h nd.fi hm dificat ons within is, n PiJfiQ i sff yl withi nrthe, Scope of the appended claims.

lclllaim:

1.. Ina packaging device; a frame, a reciprocable ram in theframe h'aving a pusher member at, theend, a spout in the frame in front of said pusheiimember, said spout being divided longitudinally into twop a'rts, each part having a flat bottom .wallpand outwardly inclined side walls to, form atrav slide, one of saidparts extending to adjacent the.;r etracted position of said pusher member and being laterallynadjustable on said frame, the saidf ot'h-er part extending fr'omthe outer end of said one member part way therealong vand being pivotally supported on said frame, and spring means biasing said other part about itspivotal s 'pp'ort in 'afd'irection t-o gseparate the outer ends of said parts.

2. In a packaging device; a tram-ea r-eciproc-ablerarn in theframehavinga pushermember on the end, a plat form over which the pushermember moves when actuated, a, spout on the platform infront of the pusher member divided down the middle into two' parts, one of said parts extending backwardly to the region of said pusher member, lateral slots in the platform at the outsid-eedge of said platform, pin means on the said one part frictionally engaging said slots,]the other said pa-rt extending .from the outer end.of said 'onepart part waytherealong, a pivoted bracket on the platform at theoutside of said other part, pin means on said other part fixed tosaid .bracke'gand a spring biasing said bracket inadirection to separate thegouter ends of saidparts.

3. In a packaging device; a frame, a reciprocable ram.

in the frame Lhavinga pusher member on the end, a platform over which the pusher member moves when' actuated, a spout n the platform in front of the pusher member divided down the middle into two parts, one of said parts extending backwardly to the region of said pusher member, lateral slots in the platform at the outer edge of said platform, pin means on the said one part frictionally engaging said slots, the other said part extending from the outer end of said one part part-way there along, a pivoted bracket on the platform at the outside of said other part, pin means on said other part fixed to said bracket, anda spring biasing said bracket in a direction to separate the outer ends of said parts, each said part having a flat bottom wall, outwardly inclined side walls and turned-in upper edges for supporting and guiding an article holding tray.

4 In a packaging device; a frame, a reciprocable ram in the frame having a pusher member on the end, a platform over which the pusher member moves when actuated, a spout on the platform in front of the pusher member divided down the middle into two parts, one of said parts extending backwardly to the region of said pusher member, lateral slots in the platform at the outer edge of said platform, pin means on the said one part frictionally engaging said slot-s, the other said part extending from the outer end of said one part part-way therealong, a pivoted bracket on the platform at the outside of said other part, pin means on said other part fixed to said bracket, a spring biasing said bracket in a direction to separate the outer ends of said parts, each said part having a fiat bottom wall, outwardly inclined side walls and turned-in upper edges for supporting and guiding an article holding tray, and an upper spout portion comprising a plate overlying said parts and having means loosely engaging at least one of the pin means for each said part of the spout.

5. In a packaging device; a frame, a reciprocable ram in the frame having a pusher member at the end, a spout in the frame in front of said pusher member, said spout being divided longitudinally into two parts, each part having a fiat bottom wall and outwardly inclined side walls to form a tray slide, one of said parts extending to adjacent the retracted position of said pusher member and being laterally adjustable on said frame, the said other part extending from the outer end of said one member part-way therealong and being pivotally supported on said frame, and spring means pivotal support in a direction to separate the outer ends of said parts, said frame comprising a bottom wall and a platform thereon, said platform being elevated rearwardly of the outer end of the spout and in front of the pusher member and supporting said spout whereby the outer end of the spout is elevated so as to be accessible.

6. In a packaging device; a frame, a reciprocable ram in the frame having a pusher member at the end, a spout in the frame in front of said pusher member, said spout being divided longitudinally into two parts, each part having a fiat bottom wall and outwardly inclined side walls to form a tray slide, one of said parts extending to adjacent the retracted position of said pushermember and being laterally adjustable on said frame, the said other part extending from the outer end of said one member part-way therealong and being pivotally supported on said frame, spring means biasing said other part about its pivotal support in a direction to separate the outer ends of said parts, said frame comprising a bottom Wall and a platform thereon, said platform being elevated rearwardly of the outer end of the spout and in front of the pusher member and supporting said spout whereby the outer end of the spout is elevated so as to be accessible, an air motor to drive said ram, and means to direct the exhaust of the air motor into the mouth of a bag on said spout to distend the bag.

7. In combination in a packaging device of the nature described and having a frame with means thereon to push articles into heat-scalable bags; a heated angular platen, an angular clamp member, a carrier pivotally supporting the clamp member, a first spring biasing the carrier to biasing said other part about its retract the clamp member from the platen, a second spring biasing the clamp member toward retracted position on the carrier, and said first spring being yieldable before said second spring whereby the mouth of a bag placed on the platen will first be clamped thereto and then pressed about the platen during a single continuous movement of the carrier and clamp member.

8. In combination in a packaging device of the nature described and having a frame with means thereon to push articles into heat-sealable bags; a heated platen in the shape of a step, a clamp member of a shape complementary to said platen, a carrier pivoted relative to the platen and pivotally supporting said clamp member, a first spring biasing the carrier to retract the clamp member from the platen, a second spring stronger than said first spring biasing the clamp member on the carrier away from mating position with said platen, and handle means on the clamp member for actuating the carrier and the clamp member.

9. In combination in a packaging device of the nature described and having a frame with means thereon to push articles into heat-scalable bags; a heated platen having a flat top surface and front surface depending therefrom, a carrier pivoted to the platen rearwardly of the said top surface, a clamp member pivoted to the carrier having a fiat surface in front of its pivotal connection with the carrier to engage the top surface of the platen and a second surface to engage the front'surface of the platen, first spring means biasing the carrier to retract the clamp member from the platen, second and stronger spring means biasing the clamp member on the carrier to tilt the clamp member up away from the platen, and a handle on the clamp member to actuate first the carrier and then the clamp member so a heat-scalable bag held with its mouth on the platen will first be gripped against the top of the platen and then drawn up about the contents of the bag with the mouth of the bag being simultaneously heat sealed.

10. In a packaging device; a frame, a motor in the frame, a ram in the frame connected with the motor to be reciprocated thereby, a pusher member on the end of the ram, said frame having a top wall and a portion of one side wall upstanding above said top wall, means depending on the inside of the said portion of said one side wall to form a guide, a plate on the top wall of the frame having an edge turned up to slidably engage said guide, means to secure said plate to said frame, and spout means carried by said plate adapted for insertion into the mouth of a bag.

11. In a packaging device; a frame, a reciprocating motor in the frame and a ram connected thereto, a pusher member on the end of the ram, said frame having a top wall and a portion of one side wall upstanding above said top wall, means depending from the-top edge of said upstanding portion of said one side wall on the inside thereof to form a guide, a plate on the top wall of the frame in front of the pusher member with one edge turned upwardly to engage said guide and the opposite edge turned down to lie along the opposite side wall of the frame, and spout means on the end of said plate having its outer end spaced upwardly from the top of the frame adapted for insertion into the mouth of a bag.

12. In a packaging device; a frame, a reciprocating motor in the frame and a ram connected thereto, a pusher member on the end of the ram, said frame having a top wall and a portion of one side wall upstanding above said top Wall, the upper edge portion of the upstanding portion of said one side wall being formed downwardly on the inside of the wall to form a guide, a plate on the top wall of the frame in front of the pusher member with one edge turned upwardly to engage said guide and the opposite edge turned down to lie along the opposite side wall of the frame, spout means on the end of said plate having its outer end spaced upwardly from the top of the frame adapted for insertion into the mouth of the bag, a slide along one side of the frame for supplying the mate- 9 rial to be packaged and extending along the turned down portion of said plate and at the same level as the plate, and said plate having a raised portion over which the said material is drawn from the slide onto the plate in front of the pusher member.

13. In a packaging device; a frame, a reciprocating motor in the frame and a ram connected thereto, a push-r member on the end of the ram, said frame having side and top walls and a portion of one side wall upstanding above the top wall of the frame and having its upper edge bent over toward the inside to form a guide, a plate on top of the frame in front of the pusher member with one edge turned upwardly to engage said guide and the opposite edge turned down to lie along the opposite side wall of the frame, spout means on the end of said plate having its outer end spaced upwardly from the top of the frame adapted for insertion into the mouth of the bag, a slide carried by said frame for supplying the material to be packaged extending along the turned down portion of said plate and at the same level as the plate, said plate having a raised portion over which the said material is drawn from the slide onto the plate in front of the pusher member, said material being supplied to the device in trays, and said plate comprising spaced abutments to engage the ends of said trays so that the pusher member will push the material therein from the trays.

14. In a packaging device; a frame, a reciprocating motor in the frame and a ram connected thereto, a pusher member on the end of the ram, said frame having top and side walls and a portion of the side walls upstanding above the top wall of the frame with the upper edge bent downwardly on the inside to form a guide, a plate on the top wall of the frame having an edge turned up to slid-ably engage said guide, means to secure said plate to said frame, a lower spout portion formed on the outer end of the plate spaced upwardly from the top of the frame for in sertion into the mouth of a bag, and an upper spout portion above the lower spout portion having its rear end pivotally supported adjacent the retracted position of said pusher member whereby an article that is substantially as long as the stroke of the pusher member can be pushed into a bag.

15. In a packaging device; a frame, a motor in the frame, a ram driven in reciprocation by the motor, a pusher member on the end of the ram, said frame having top and side walls and a portion of one side wall upstanding above the top wall of the frame, means on the inside of the upstanding portion of the side wall forming a downwardly opening guide, a plate on the top wall of the frame having an edge turned up to slidably engage said guide, means to secure said plate to said frame, an upwardly concave lower spout portion on the outer end of the plate inclined upwardly from the top of the frame so a bag can be placed over the spout, a downwardly concave upper spout portion overlying said lower spout portion and pivoted to said plate in the region of the retracted position of said pusher member, and the rear edge of said upper spout portion being turned upwardly to clear said pusher member when the upper spout portion is pivoted upwardly to place an article to be packaged on said plate.

16. In a packaging device; :a frame, a pusher member reciprocable in the frame, a motor to actuate the pusher member, a spout member detachably secured to the frame in line with said member, the outer end of the spout being spaced upwardly from said frame for receiving a bag, and means for distending the mouth of said bag for receiving the material pushed therein by said pusher mem ber, said spout being divided longitudinally into two parts, means supporting one of said parts on said frame for lateral adjustment, means pivotally supporting the other of said parts on said frame for lateral swinging movements, spring means biasing said other part to move its outer end laterally away from said one part thereby to distend a bag placed over said spout, said motor comprising an air cylinder, a manual valve to control the supply of air to the cylinder, and an exhaust part in the valve directed toward the end of said spout whereby the exhaust air from the cylinder will expand a bag on the spout during a packaging operation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 803,357 Peile Oct. 31,1905 1,889,193 Craig Nov. 29, 1932 2,353,746 Moore July 18, 1944 2,555,584 Fairbank June 5, 1951 2,644,282 Irvine July 7, 1953 2,685,996 Shotfner Aug. 10, 1954 2,713,449 Carmichael July 19, 1955 

